Computers get cheaper and faster every day, but even the fastest computer in the world is useless without programs to run on it. Sadly, the price of software hasn’t fallen significantly, and buying all the programs needed for a new PC can cost as much, if not more, than the computer itself.

Fortunately, there’s a better way: use some of the brilliant free programs available. There are thousands of free programs that can be used by anyone with an internet connection, but this enormous choice can be a disadvantage: with so much available, how can you tell which are the best or which can be trusted?

This issue, we’ve made it simple to find great software by selecting 50 of the best programs available to download. Most will work on both Windows XP and Vista, but we’ll warn you if this isn’t the case, and all are completely free with no strings attached.

1: 7-zip www.snipurl.com/2c0ra
Windows can create and open compressed ZIP files, but 7-Zip can do so much more than that. It can make archive files that can be opened without any other software, protect compressed files with passwords and can open just about every compressed format that you’re ever likely to come across.

2: Audacity www.snipurl.com/2c0rb
Audacity is an amazing music editor capable of cutting, mixing and editing music stored in any of the popular Windows formats, including MIDI, WAV and MP3. It can also be used to make live recordings and to enhance audio files with its range of filters and special effects.

3: Adobe Reader www.snipurl.com/2c0rd
These days, PDF files are used to distribute almost every kind of document ­ from electronic books to Computeractive’s own indexes. Many products even include a manual in PDF format. To view them, you’ll need a copy of Adobe’s Reader. Fortunately, this is completely free to download and simple to use.

4: CD Recovery Toolbox www.snipurl.com/2c0rg
Although it can’t work miracles, CD Recovery Toolbox is able to recover files from CDs and DVDs even when the discs have been scratched or physically damaged. It can also read files that may have been corrupted during the burning process. When a disc goes wrong, this software can be a lifesaver.

5: Copernic Desktop Search www.snipurl.com/2c0ri
Copernic indexes documents, emails and contacts so that they can be found in a flash by searching for words contained within them. It’s quicker than the search tool built into Windows Vista and miles better than the one in Windows XP. If you ever lose track of files or messages, this is a must-have.

6: DBPoweramp www.snipurl.com/2c0rm
DBPoweramp can rip CDs to your hard disk and transfer music files between five different formats. When converting CDs, it will look up the relevant song titles automatically. Converting to and from MP3 files requires a $14 (£7) upgrade, but all other types of file are free to use.

7: Defraggler www.snipurl.com/2c0rr
Using a defragmenting program will help your computer to start up faster and respond more quickly to your commands. The defragmenting tools in Windows XP and Windows Vista are notoriously slow, but this one is far quicker. It can be used to defragment a complete disk or individual files.

8: CDBurnerXP www .snipurl.com/2c0rz
Create CDs, DVDs and even high-definition discs with this terrific burning program that has all the essentials, but none of the clutter of its commercial counterparts. It can be used to create discs from disc image files that you may have downloaded (see page 62) and it even includes tools for printing disc labels.